Mid-West Construction Industry Federation (CIF) members have accused the Government of dismantling NDP investment in the region, and "rowing back" on promises to prioritise balanced regional development.

Speaking at the launch of the CIF Mid West Construction Report in Limerick, Conor O'Connell, CIF Regional Executive, said Government cuts are "severely impacting on employment in the industry".

"A number of significant infrastructure projects in the region are nearing completion, including the Nenagh-Limerick N7 Dual Carriageway and the Limerick Southern Ring Road phase two (Shannon Tunnel)," he said.

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"Over the past 12 months 10,000 direct construction jobs have been lost in the region with a further 10,000 indirect and induced jobs lost as a result of the slowdown in construction activity," claimed Mr O'Connell.

"The 15,000 direct construction jobs that remain in the region could be more than halved as a result of the cuts in capital spending."

He said it is vital that projects under the Limerick Regeneration Agency can commence; the Western Motorway Corridor is completed; adequate facilities for the treatment of waste water in Ennis are provided; that a ring road is constructed around Limerick City; and plans are advanced for the roads necessary to service bulk cargo facilities in the Shannon Estuary.

"These projects are vital if the region is to achieve the targets set out in the National Spatial Strategy for balanced regional development," said Mr O'Connell.

"The simple fact is that you can't delivery €6bn worth of work per annum if you don't commence €6bn worth of work," he added.

(PR/JM)